Tattoo Removal Creams: Do They Really Work?

Tattoo removal creams have been around for many years. Most of the original creams consisted of water, "natural botanicals", propylene glycol, various forms of alcohol, some minor acids such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), fragrance and Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone was the main active ingredient, used because it suppresses the production of melanin, the chemical in the skin that determines skin color. The more melanin a person has the darker the skin, less melanin creates a lighter skin tone. Once it became known that hydroquinone may cause cancer some of the existing creams downplayed the existence of hydroquinone in their product by not publicizing their ingredients or by hiding it in such a long list of other ingredients that they hoped no one would bother reading the list. As Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson of the Mayo Clinic says "Tattoo removal creams are widely available online. But there is no evidence that they work"

Recently a new wave of so called tattoo removal creams have come upon the scene. They rely on inhibiting or completely stopping the production of melanin, but they are composed of new and different chemicals to fade the skin. It's like the old card trick where the dealer distracts the players with one hand while dealing his own cards from the bottom of the deck. After a few applications the user notices that their skin is fading and thinks that means the tattoo ink itself is fading. As time passes the skin tone over the tattoo becomes lighter and lighter and gives the illusion of fading tattoo ink, but the ink never goes away and the skin becomes completely depleted of melanin. Eventually the user catches on, but the bad news is that manufacturers of this type of "tattoo removal cream" offer no guarantee, so there will be no refund of the few hundred dollars spent to fade a small area of skin pigment. The new ingredients used to accomplish this is usually Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin and Bearberry Extract in combination or alone. The product may also contain a variety of preservatives, moisturizers, skin healers such as Aloe Vera and a fragrance. That's all very nice if you want to get rid of age spots, freckles or create an even skin tone on your face, but there has never been one medical study that proves any of the above ingredients, in a highly concentrated form either together or alone, will do anything to fade or remove tattoo pigment.

Most skin pigment lies in the top layer of skin called the Epidermis with much smaller quantities sometimes residing in the second layer of skin called the Dermis. The problem with the skin fading products is they generally only penetrate to the Epidermis and never reach the Dermis or second layer of skin where the tattoo pigment is deposited to create a permanent tattoo. Even if the cream was to penetrate to the Dermis layer there is no ingredient in any tattoo removal cream that can remove, much less fade, tattoo ink pigment. Many modern tattoo pigments include products such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic), inorganic metals and heavy metals and are to deep in the skin to remove using simple melanin inhibitors.

The only thing that gives tattoo creams the slightest chance at fading a tattoo is using it in combination with dermabrasion or exfoliation. The dermis, where tattoo ink lives, has to be the ultimate point of attack if there is any realistic expectation of tattoo ink removal. The following drawing shows a cross section of skin layers and the limited ability of tattoo removal creams to penetrate beyond the epidermis. Creams with instructions to apply once or twice a day are simply to mild to reach the dermis. They are nothing more than hand softening creams with melanin inhibitors added.

Probably the most widely known non-laser tattoo removal product uses a form of dermabrasion and and a cream. The cost of this product is high because of the battery operated sander that comes in each kit and the advertising dollars spent to build the brand name. The creams contain abrasives to aid in exfoliation and a variety of moisturizers, skin conditioners, sunscreens to help prevent hyperpigmentation, cleansers, oils and skin lighteners, or melanin inhibitors, to give the illusion of tattoo pigment removal. Given enough time the process may work, but the time required is much, much longer than the advertiser would lead the public to believe, all the while product users are sending in $150.00 every 2 months for more product. During the first couple of months melanin inhibitors give the impression the product is working better than it actually is, that's the basic strategy behind most tattoo removal creams. Most manufacturers offer no money back guarantee while others offer what appears to be a guarantee, but close reading reveals the standards for a refund are so strict as to be non-existent.

Further examination of tattoo removal cream ingredients reveals that with a trip to the local drug store most of the ingredients that cost $75.00 for a one month supply can be bought for $5.00 and accomplish the same amount of ink removal as the commercially marketed product.

"QuickFade has a 90 day guarantee! Take the Test... Try QuickFade for yourself for at least 90 days, and if you don't see dramatic results e-mail us and your products are FREE, no questions asked!"

... "Here's how our guarantee works; If our systems or products have not worked for you. You are eligible to receive FREE PRODUCTS until you achieve the results you desire. Providing that you adhere to the following conditions;

3 Month Guarantee:

If after 90 days you haven't obtained the results you desire, simply purchase another 3-month supply of products to qualify for the 6-month guarantee. Once you have used our system or products 180 days and you have not yet obtained the results you desire, simply e-mail the customer service department to activate the monthly delivery of your FREE products.

6 Month Guarantee:

E-mail the customer service department within 185 days from the date you received your package to activate your FREE products.

-Once you begin receiving your FREE products, you must e-mail the customer service department before the 30th of every month to keep your FREE products coming.

-You simply pay $12.95 (USA) or $19.99 (International) for shipping/handling and your FREE products will be delivered discreetly to your door within 5-10 business days (USA), 2-4 weeks (International) It's that simple!

If you need assistance with our guarantee just e-mail us, were here to help you!"

Translation: They don't return your money, they send you more product which you pay for at a greatly reduced price.

Refund and Return Policy

"If you would like to return our product, you must email within 30 days of the shipment date to receive authorization and return instructions.

All unopened product can be returned for a refund. A re-stocking fee of 25% will be applied. Product must be sealed, unopened, and in original packaging. Product must be shipped back to TAT-Med.com at the customers' expense. All merchandise must be insured properly by the customer. Refunds will be issued upon receipt of the returned products. Shipping charges cannot be refunded. If items are not insured properly and get damaged or lost when returned, we cannot grant refunds.

No product returns can be accepted after 30 days.

Foreign orders which are detained or confiscated by Customs are not subject for refund.

An RMA (Return Authorization) must be obtained from the office by email before a refund will be accepted back for return. Upon receiving the email request for the RMA, a representative will clarify the eligibility for the return under our return policy and provide an RMA and return address back by email. Any returned product without an RMA will not be refunded."

Translation: A customer has 30 days to return the product, but a refund will be issued only if product package was never opened and used. This means if you try it and don't like it you can't return it because you have opened the original package which violates the warranty.

Guarantee and Privacy

"Due to the high level of success we achieve from our clients, we are able to offer you a product with incredibly superior ingredients. Follow the steps of thousands of our satisfied clients around the world. With everything aside, we assure you that our product, Profade, has the greatest ratio of satisfied clients on the web.

Purchases with credit card and other forms alike are completely safe and confidential. We promise never to sell your information, nor use it without your consent.

We use programs which are completely secure to preserve your personal information. With this technology no one will be able to access your personal data.

Your credit card will be safe thanks to our protection programs. Your email address and other contact details will never be sold because we follow the Law of Information Protection of 1980.

All orders are sent in a completely discreet envelope so that it would be impossible to know the contents inside.

Nor will you find any distinct references to the product on the outside of the packet which would reveal its contents."

Translation: This company calls this the Guarantee and Privacy statement, but the product is not guaranteed, only your privacy.

Is Tat B Gone guaranteed?

"TBG has been proven to be highly effective. Our studies show that over 95% of TBG users achieve SATISFYING RESULTS, but some situations require a longer treatment period. Because of this and contamination concerns (we cannot ensure the integrity of product that has out from our control) we are unable to accept returns or offer an unconditional guarantee. We know of no serious medical treatment, prescription, or even laser treatment that offers an unconditional guarantee."

Translation: They don't guarantee their product because you might contaminate it...?

Ingrediants Guaranteed

"Tattoo-off delivers satisfying results, no matter the color, type and amount of ink used to create your tattoo. The Most Researched and Advanced Tattoo Removal Formula Available. No Chinese Ingredients"

Translation: Their guarantee is No Chinese Ingredients...that's it?

Tattoo Removal Creams - Do They Really Work?

The unfortunate answer to that question is: No, not yet. It's possible that one day an effective tattoo removal cream will be developed. We will know that day has arrived when a company has enough confidence in their product to offer a reasonable money back guarantee.

Adell Cogar is a freelance writer with a special interest in tattoos and tattoo removal methods. Fascinated with tattoos at an early age, Adell received her first tattoo at 18 and has added many more over the past few years. A "redo" on a particular tattoo that she did not like got her involved with several tattoo removal methods. Those who know her consider her an expert on the matter. She consulted with http://www.HealthySkinAssociation.org/ for this article.

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